Process and apparatus to remove carbon-14 from carbon-dioxide in atmospheric gases and agricultural products grown in controlled environments

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for growing agricultural products with a reduced abundance of radioactive carbon-14 (14C) by employing centrifugal separation of atmospheric gases to selectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) with 14C. Agricultural products with reduced 14C content can be grown in controlled environments with filtered atmospheric gases for the benefit of reducing harmful damage to human DNA that is unavoidable with our current food chain, due to the natural abundance of 14C in atmospheric gases. Bilateral and unilateral compression helikon vortex apparatus provide efficient and economical removal of CO2 with 14C from atmospheric gases with a single filtration pass, which is ideally suited for large scale agricultural production.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/030,734 filed on Jul. 9, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/535,211, filed on Jul. 20, 2017. Thecomplete disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporatedby reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for growingagricultural products with a reduced abundance of carbon-14 (¹⁴C) byemploying centrifugal separation of atmospheric gases to remove carbondioxide (CO₂) with radioactive ¹⁴C. Agricultural products with reduced¹⁴C content can be grown in controlled environments for the benefit ofreducing harmful damage to human DNA that is unavoidable with ourcurrent food chain, due to the natural abundance of ¹⁴C in atmosphericgases. Radioactive ¹⁴C decay to nitrogen-14 with the release of 156 KeVhas long been known to have biological effects (Purdom, C. E.).Sequencing of the human genome has identified 6.1 billion base pairs inhuman DNA, with 119 billion carbon atoms in the DNA of each nucleatedcell (Lander, E. S., and Genome Reference Consortium (GRC) Human GenomeAssembly build 38 (GRCh38)). Recent quantitative analysis of humantissues has estimated 3 trillion nucleated cells in the human body(Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R.). Given the natural abundance andhalf-life of ¹⁴C and composition of our genome (i.e., a mean of roughly6.0×10⁹ base pairs with 19.5 carbon atoms each), in the average humanthis decay is occurring once per second in human DNA, resulting inpotential bond ruptures, DNA strand breakage, and nitrogen substitutionin canonical bases (Sassi, M., et. al.). This cumulative damage has beenpositively correlated to cancer diagnoses (Patrick, A. D., & Patrick, B.E.), and may have other yet-to-be-quantified effects on human tissues aswe age. In fact, no mammal has yet lived without this cumulative damage,so the qualitative benefits of precluding this genetic alteration areyet-to-be-quantified. To preclude this cumulative damage and geneticalteration, it is necessary to perform isotope separation on largevolumes of atmospheric gases to remove ¹⁴C from agricultural productsand their derivatives in the food chain. This requires an economicalmeans for the filtration of atmospheric gases and the growth ofagricultural products in controlled environments.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

In commercial applications, isotope separation has most commonly beenapplied to uranium isotopes utilizing a centrifugal separation process.The helikon vortex has been applied to uranium isotope enrichment inSouth Africa utilizing a multi-stage cascade design (Feiverson, H. A.,Glaser, A., Mian, Z., & Von Hippel, F. N., and Moore, J. D. L.), but hasnot been applied to the selective isotope separation of CO₂ fromatmospheric gases in prior art.

Turner, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,434, shows that a helikon vortexcan be utilized as a centrifugal separator in a multi-stage cascadedesign as one part of a process to separate methane from landfill gas.Although the multi-stage cascade design of the helikon vortex canseparate gases by molecular density, it was developed for the separationof uranium isotopes, which are very heavy and differ in mass by a smallamount (i.e., ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, which differ in mass by 1.3%), which is oneof the most challenging applications for centrifugal separation. Due tothis multi-stage cascade design, it is very energy intensive to operate,and although it can be applied to the separation other gases bymolecular density, it is uneconomical for the filtration of atmosphericgases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Shacter, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,036, shows a method for cycling gasesthrough a cascade of multiple stages to achieve the separation othergases by molecular density. This multi-stage cascade design was alsointended for the separation of uranium isotopes, and due to the reasonsnoted above is very energy intensive to operate, and although it can beapplied to the separation other gases by molecular density, it isuneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scalefor agricultural production.

Steimel, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,158, shows that a gas centrifuge canseparate molecules of different masses by applying extremely highvelocities while utilizing ionization of the gas with electric currentsand the control of magnetic fields around the gas chamber. Although thisprocess is effective for the separation of isotopes of heavy elements,such as uranium (i.e., ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, which differ in mass by 1.3%), itis very energy intensive to operate and the apparatus itself is complexto construct, including a large electromagnet, electrodes, andcontrolling mechanisms. While all of this may be essential for thedifficult and energy intensive separation of heavy isotopes from eachother (e.g., ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U), the separation of carbon isotopes (e.g.,¹²C and ¹⁴C, which differ in mass by 16.7%) is much less energyintensive, due to the relatively large mass difference between isotopes.Being more energy intensive than necessary for the desired application,this process is uneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases ona large-scale for agricultural production.

Gerber, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,573, shows that heavy and light isotopescan be separated from a fluid by applying a rotating electric field andionization of the liquid with electrodes or a radioactive source.Although this process may have economical applications for liquids atatmospheric pressures, utilization of this process for the separation ofCO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases would first require the separationof CO₂ from other atmospheric gases, the liquification of the removedCO₂, and then the application of the described process. After this, theCO₂ without ¹⁴C would need then to be re-combined with atmospheric gaseswithout CO₂. Together, with the added complexity of removing CO₂ fromatmospheric gases, liquification of this gas, application of thedescribed process, and then recombination of gases, this approach isuneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scalefor agricultural production.

Janes, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,354, shows that ions can be separated froma plasma source utilizing mass acceleration. Similarly, Drummond, etal., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,975, shows that matter can be converted byan arc heater into an ionized plasma in excess of 5,000° K andstabilized with magnetic fields. Although this process was developed forthe separation of rare valuable elements, such as metals, these could beadapted to separate carbon isotopes from sources of carbon. Utilizationof these methodologies for the separation of CO₂ with ¹⁴C fromatmospheric gases would first require the separation of CO₂ from otheratmospheric gases, then application of the described process to theremoved CO₂ (or conversion of some other carbon source to plasma) andthen removal of ¹⁴C. After this, the carbon without ¹⁴C would need to becombined with oxygen to produce CO₂, which would then need to be mixedwith the atmospheric gases that had the CO₂ removed earlier. Together,with the added complexity of removing CO₂ from atmospheric gases,application of the described process, conversion of carbon to CO₂, andthen recombination of gases, this appears to be an uneconomicalalternative for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale foragricultural production. McKinney, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,334,shows that isotopes of helium can be separated while in liquid form byexploiting unique physical properties of different isotopes. Althoughthe claim was limited for use with helium, a similar approach couldexploit the physical properties of CO₂ in a liquid state. This approachwould be complicated by the fact CO₂ is a compound rather than anelement and that there are three stable isotopes of oxygen (i.e., ¹⁶O,¹⁷O, and ¹⁸O) that are naturally found in combinations with threenaturally occurring isotopes of carbon (i.e., ¹²O, ¹³C, and ¹⁴C) . Evenso, exploiting the unique molecular weight of ¹²C¹⁶O₂ in a liquid statewould require the removal of all CO₂ from atmospheric gases, applicationof this new process, and then recombination of the CO₂ without ¹⁴C withthe atmospheric gases without CO₂. Altogether, even if this claim weremodified for this application, it would also appear to be anuneconomical alternative for the filtration of atmospheric gases toremove ¹⁴C on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Russ, Fischer, and Crawford, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,715 (2008), showsthat gas at an atmospheric pressure can be passed through an ionizationchamber with an electrode that generates ions, which pass through an ionfilter apparatus with voltage differentials, thereby performing massspectrometry, which demonstrates one form of isotope separation.Although this process is useful for the identification and measurementof the molecular and isotopic constituents of a gas, it is not readilyextensible or adaptable to the removal of one isotopic component ofatmospheric gases on a large scale, since each molecule of atmosphericgas needs to be ionized prior to filtration.

Lashoda, et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,073, shows that isotopes of anelement in a compound can be separated utilizing a laser when thecompound is deposited in a monolayer on small glass beads. Although thisprocess has useful applications, utilization of this process forseparation of CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases would first requirethe separation of CO₂ from all other atmospheric gases, theliquification of the removed CO₂, and then the application of thedescribed process. After this, the CO₂ without ¹⁴C would then need to bere-combined with atmospheric gases without CO₂. Together, with the addedcomplexity of removing CO₂ from atmospheric gases, liquification of theremoved CO₂ gas, application of the described process, and thenrecombination of gases, this approach is uneconomical for the filtrationof atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Several instances of prior art utilize condensation of gases orcondensates as part of a system or method to remove isotopes. Redmann,in U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,674, shows that isotopes can be removed from acontinuous stream of gas through condensation, although the claims arelimited to gas streams from a nuclear plant rather than atmosphericgases. Similarly, Schweiger in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,209, shows thatradioactive tritium isotopes can be removed from gas from a nuclearreactor by utilizing condensation. These claims are also limited togases from nuclear reactors.

Janner, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,674, shows that one isotopecomponent of gases can be selectively excited from a condensate usingradiation from a laser. Utilization of this process for separation ofCO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases would first require the condensationof CO₂ from all other atmospheric gases by increasing the pressure ofthe gases to exceed 5.1 bars, and then application of the describedprocess. After this, the CO₂ without ¹⁴C would then need to bere-combined with atmospheric gases without CO₂. Together, with the addedcomplexity of removing CO₂ from atmospheric gases, liquification of theremoved CO₂ gas, application of the described process, and thenrecombination of gases, this approach is uneconomical for the filtrationof atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Wikdahl, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,171, shows that gas mixtures can beseparated by molecular or atomic weight by centrifugal force in avortex. The described apparatus utilizes velocities exceeding the speedof sound and has been utilized for uranium isotope separation, which isamong the most technically difficult isotope separation applications.This apparatus could be adapted for the less rigorous application of ¹⁴Cseparation, although the small diameter limits the utility for thefiltration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agriculturalproduction, and effective ¹⁴C separation can be achieved at lowervelocities than those required for more demanding applications.Therefore, this apparatus would be less economical than an alternativethat does not require such extremely high velocities, which limitsefficiency, and such a small diameter, which limits the volume ofthroughput.

Mangadoddy, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 9,579,666 B2, shows that densemedium can be separated by centrifugal force in a vortex. Although thisapparatus appears very similar to Wikdahl's apparatus, as noted above,it has a larger diameter, is intended for the separation of particlesrather than molecules, and is functional at lower velocities. Althoughthis apparatus was not intended for isotope separation, and that subjectis outside the scope of the claims, it could be modified and adapted forthe application of separating CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases. Inconclusion, no method or process has been formerly developed formaintaining a controlled environment from which CO₂ with ¹⁴C has eitherbeen removed or reduced to a lower level than the natural abundance of¹⁴C, as required for growing agricultural products with reduced ¹⁴Ccontent. Similarly, no apparatus has been formerly developed with thespecific intent to efficiently and economically remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C fromatmospheric gases with a single filtration pass, as required for largescale agricultural production.

SUMMARY

A process to grow agricultural products with a reduced abundance ofradioactive ¹⁴C will have health benefits by reducing harmful damage tohuman DNA, which has been correlated to cancer. Other benefits ofreduced cumulative genetic damage over long periods of time have yet tobe quantified. To-date, removal of ¹⁴C from agricultural products on alarge scale has not been possible due to a lack of an economical meansto remove ¹⁴C from CO₂ on a scale sufficient for agriculturalproduction. Such agricultural products can be grown in a large varietyof controlled environments so long as they are airtight, such as asealed container, greenhouse, or building, and provided the otherrequirements for agricultural growth are also satisfied, such as light,water, and micronutrients. The controlled environment must be airtightso that the gases therein can be controlled and constitute filteredatmospheric gases from which CO₂ with ¹⁴C has been removed. With theproper sensors, control valves, and control systems, 1) the abundance ofCO₂ in the controlled environment can be automatically maintained bycirculating atmospheric gases through the filtration system, operatingcontrol valves, and circulation of fresh filtered air through thecontrolled environment, 2) to ensure the quality of the agriculturalproducts, the control system can also ensure the filtration system iseffective prior to routing filtered atmospheric gases into thecontrolled environment, and 3) the air pressure inside the controlledenvironment can be maintained at a positive pressure with respect to theexternal atmospheric air pressure, to prevent any leakage that couldcontaminate the controlled environment. Together with hydroponic growingmethodologies, this process enables the complete automation of largescale agricultural production with reduced ¹⁴0.

The bilateral and unilateral compression helikon vortex designs provideefficient, single-pass systems for the effective filtration of ¹⁴C fromCO₂ that is suitable for the filtration of large quantities ofatmospheric gases as required for agricultural production (Patrick, A.D., & Patrick, B. E.). These designs are effective due to the relativelylarge mass difference between stable carbon and unstable carbon isotopes(i.e., ¹²C and ¹⁴C, which differ in mass by 16.7%), which is much lessenergy intensive to separate than the typical subjects of nuclearisotope separation, i.e., the heavy element isotopes of uranium, such as²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, which differ in mass by 1.3% and require much more energyto separate. The designs also benefit from the fact unlike uranium,which is a scarce resource and cannot be wasted, atmospheric gases arerelatively abundant and available for filtration at no material cost.Therefore, if a portion of perfectly usable air is lost as “waste” fromthe filtration process, there is no material cost for the separationprocess, and consequently, the filtration process does not require ahigh level of material efficiency to be successful or effective atremoving ¹⁴C. The designs are simple without requiring electromagnets orelectrodes for the ionization of gas, like some isotope separationmethodologies. Also, many of the designs that utilize or require theionization of gas are more complex and resource intensive to constructand operate. The single-pass system designs are also efficient withoutrequiring a multi-stage cascade design, which requires many moreresources to build than a single-pass filtration system, as well as muchmore energy to operate. The designs are more efficient in both designand operation than any of the designs that require liquification of thegases, or ionization of liquified gases, which introduce the processcomplexities of liquifying atmospheric gases, the maintenance hazards ofoperating with highly pressurized systems, and the recombination offiltered gases after liquification. The designs are also more efficientand economical than processes that would require converting CO₂ toplasma and stabilizing ionized plasma with magnetic fields. Since thedesigns only require the acceleration of atmospheric gases, they arealso more efficient than processes that require ionization andprocessing of each molecule of gas in mixtures of gases being separated.Since the designs utilize atmospheric gases directly, they do notrequire condensation of gases from nuclear power plants or require theexcitation of condensates by lasers, which would only addinefficiencies. The designs do not require the acceleration of gases tovelocities exceeding the speed of sound, which is required forcentrifugal gas separation methodologies applied to more technicallydifficult isotope separation applications. The designs also do notrequire the very small diameter of apparatus required by centrifugal gasseparation systems intended for more technically challenging isotopeseparation applications. Since the designs are effective at lowervelocities and larger diameters, they are more efficient and well suitedfor the high throughput of atmospheric gases volumes required for largescale agricultural production applications. The designs are notconstrained by particulate separation, only the densities of atmosphericgases, and any particulates that enter the designs would generally bediscarded with the high-density atmospheric gases, including the CO₂with ¹⁴C. The designs are intended to efficiently and economicallyremove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases with a single-passfiltration, as required for large scale agricultural production.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a Flow Diagram for the Separation of Atmospheric Gases toRemove CO₂ with ¹⁴C Utilizing a Helikon Vortex and Control System.

FIG. 2 is a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview, with a frontview (FIG. 2a ), top view (FIG. 2b ), right-side view (FIG. 2c ), andcross-section of the tangential airflow stabilizer (FIG. 2d ).

FIG. 3 is a Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview, with a frontview (FIG. 3a ), top view (FIG. 3b ), right-side view (FIG. 3c ), andcross-section of the tangential airflow stabilizer (FIG. 3d ).

FIG. 4 is a Perspective View of a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex(FIG. 4a ) and a Perspective View of a Bilateral Compression HelikonVortex (FIG. 4b ).

FIG. 5 is a Wide Vortex Chamber with Tangential Input Overview, with afront view (FIG. 5a ), back view (FIG. 5b ), top view (FIG. 5c ), andright-side view (FIG. 5d ).

FIG. 6 is a Perspective View of a Wide Vortex Chamber with TangentialInput.

FIG. 7 is a Lateral Vortex Chamber Adapter Overview, with a front view(FIG. 7a ), upper-front perspective view (FIG. 7b ), and lower-frontperspective view (FIG. 7c ).

FIG. 8 is a Narrow Vortex Chamber Overview, with a front view (FIG. 8a), top view (FIG. 8b ), and upper-front perspective view (FIG. 8c ).

FIG. 9 is a Narrow Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview, with a front view(FIG. 9a ), top view (FIG. 9b ), upper-front perspective view (FIG. 9c), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 9d ).

FIG. 10 is a Wide Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview, with a front view(FIG. 10a ), top view (FIG. 10b ), upper-front perspective view (FIG.10c ), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 10d ).

FIG. 11 is a Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone Overview, with afront view (FIG. 11a ), top view (FIG. 11b ), and lower-frontperspective view (FIG. 11c ).

FIG. 12 is a Vertical Cross-Section View of the Manually CalibratedHelikon Vortex Cone (FIG. 12 a), and a Horizontal Cross-Section View ofthe Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone (FIG. 12b ).

FIG. 13 is an Alternative Threaded Cone Overview, with a front view(FIG. 13a ), bottom view (FIG. 13b ), and lower-front perspective view(FIG. 13c ).

FIG. 14 is a Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base Overview, with a frontview (FIG. 14a ), top view (FIG. 14b ), and bottom view (FIG. 14c ).

FIG. 15 is a Perspective View of the Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base,with an upper-front perspective view (FIG. 15a ) and a lower-front viewperspective view (FIG. 15b ).

FIG. 16 is a Vortex Exhaust/Alternative Threaded Cone Alignment BaseOverview, with a top view (FIG. 16a ), and bottom view (FIG. 16b ).

FIG. 17 is a Perspective View of the Vortex Exhaust/Alternative ThreadedCone Alignment Base, with an upper-front perspective view (FIG. 17a )and a lower-front view perspective view (FIG. 17b ).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1. is a flow diagram for the separation of atmospheric gases toremove CO₂ with ¹⁴C in accordance with the process, control system, andHelikon Vortex Bilateral and Unilateral Compression designs within theinvention. The Helikon Vortex 1 (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 for details)constitutes a means to remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from the atmospheric gases 2.Several alternative processes or apparatus could substitute 1 in thisflow diagram, with respective losses of efficiency as described in thebackground section, and constitute an alternative means to remove CO₂with ¹⁴C from 2. The atmospheric pressure p₁ of the atmospheric gases 2is measured by pressure sensor 3 and CO₂ abundance c₁ in the atmosphericgases 2 is measured by CO₂ sensor 4, both of which are monitored by acontrol system 13. A commercial high-speed air blower 5, which can beactivated by the control system 13, accelerates the atmospheric gases tovelocity v and volume V₀ per second which is output directly into anairflow adapter 6 which is connected to the vortex chamber 7, into whichthe air is injected tangentially to maximize centrifugal acceleration. Acone 8 which is aligned with the vortex chamber 7 by the vortexexhaust/cone alignment base 9. The position of the cone 8 can be raisedor lowered relative to the vortex chamber 7 to reduce or widen the gapbetween the vortex chamber 7 and the cone 8. The positioning of the cone8 to achieve the desired separation is hereafter referred to ascalibration. Dense molecular gas 10 is forced to the outside of thevortex chamber 7 by centrifugal acceleration a and exits the vortexchamber 7 through the gap near the cone 8, where it is exhausted to theatmosphere, reentering the atmospheric gases 2. Low density moleculargas 11 with reduced ¹⁴C content is slowed by the cone 8 and exits thevortex chamber opposite the cone at the top. The calibration (or coneposition) can be adjusted by an electrical motor 12 which can raise orlower the cone 8 position relative to the vortex chamber 7 through axialrotation. Low density molecular gas 11 can exit through either manual orsolenoid operated electrical control valves 14 and 17, which can becontrolled by the control system 13. Control valve 14 is a relief valvewhich opens and releases gases while the high-speed blower 5 isstarting, while the vortex chamber is pressurizing, or while the coneposition is changing during calibration. CO₂ abundance c₂ of the reliefvalve gas output 15 is measured at CO₂ sensor 16 and monitored by thecontrol system 13. Once the vortex chamber 7 is pressurized and CO₂separation is adequate per the helikon vortex calibration, reliefcontrol valve 14 is closed and the vortex chamber control valve 17 issimultaneously opened by the control system 13. CO₂ separation isadequate when CO₂ sensor calibration adjusted measurements c₂/c₁<S,where the required separation S<1, and S is dependent on the efficiencyof the helikon vortex. While the vortex chamber control valve 17 (i.e.,the control valve for gaseous input to the controlled environment) isopen, the CO₂ abundance c₃ of the vortex chamber control valve output 18is monitored by CO₂ sensor 19 to ensure CO₂ separation is adequate, perthe helikon vortex calibration, and proper operation of the vortex. CO₂separation is adequate when CO₂ sensor calibration adjusted measurementsc₃/c₁<S. The vortex chamber control valve output 18 passes directly intoa controlled environment 20 which can be used for applications requiringCO₂ with reduced ¹⁴C content (e.g., agricultural productionapplications). The pressure p₂ of gases inside the controlledenvironment 20 is measured by a pressure sensor 21 and monitored by thecontrol system 13 with to ensure a positive pressure (i.e., p₂>p₁) ismaintained inside the controlled environment 20 to precludecontamination with CO₂ containing ¹⁴C in the event of a leak or rupture.Control valve 22 remains closed while p₂<p₁ when 17 is open until 20 hasa positive pressure differential over the atmospheric pressure (asdetermined by comparing pressure sensors 3 and 21), or p₂>p₁+p₀, wherep₀ is the minimum additional pressure required by 20, to ensureatmospheric gases 2 do not enter 20 through 22. When control valve 17 isopen and a sufficient positive pressure exists in the controlledenvironment 20, or p₂>p₁+p₀, control valve 22 will be opened by thecontrol system 13, allowing controlled environment gases 23 to exitthrough 22, where it is exhausted to the atmosphere, reenteringatmospheric gases 2. Control valve 22 may also be opened by 13 whenatmospheric pressure pi decreases so that p₂>p₁+2*p₀, as an emergencyrelief, to ensure the pressure in 20 is not so high that controlledenvironment gases 23 do not enter 7 through 17 when 17 is opened. Whenp₁ is rising, 13 can also turn on 5 to increase p₂ to maintain apositive pressure in 20; as described above, 5 pressurizes 7, whereby 17is opened, increasing p₂. When CO₂ abundance decreases in 20 due toutilization or consumption by applications, as measured by c₃, andc₃<c₀, where c₀ is the minimum CO₂ abundance required by 20, 13 willturn on 5 to replace the controlled environment gases in 20. In thismanner, 13 can regulate both the pressure and CO₂ abundance in thecontrolled environment 20 as the natural atmospheric pressure p₁ of 2fluctuates and CO₂ with reduced ¹⁴C content is utilized in 20. Thecontrol system 13 can either be programmed or configured to operate 5,14, 17, and 22 utilizing electronic controls or switches with digital oranalog signals, constituting a means to operate the blower and controlvalves. Similarly, 13 can either be programmed or configured to monitordigital or analog signals from 3, 4, 16, 19, and 21, constituting ameans to monitor the sensors.

FIG. 2 is a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview, with a frontview (FIG. 2a ), top view (FIG. 2b ), and right-side view (FIG. 2c ),and cross-section of the tangential airflow stabilizer (FIG. 2d ). Thisassembly is one instantiation of the helikon vortex 1 in FIG. 1, andseveral components from FIG. 1 are recognizable here, including theairflow adapter 6, helikon vortex chamber 7, cone 8, and helikon vortexexhaust/cone alignment base 9. The vortex output adapter 24 is where CO₂with reduced ¹⁴C content is output, and this is attached to the narrowvortex chamber cap/outlet 25, which is on top of 7. The vortex chamberconsists of the upper narrow vortex chamber 26, extends through thecenter of the upper lateral vortex chamber adapter 27, the center of theairflow adapter 6, the center of the lower lateral vortex chamberadapter 32, and the lower narrow vortex chamber 33. The upper and lowernarrow vortex chambers have an interior radius of r₁ and combined heightof h₁, where the height of 26 is less than or equal to half the heightof 33. The airflow adapter 6 consists of several components identifiablehere, including the blower input connector 28, radial to tangentialairflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer 30, and the widevortex chamber with tangential input 31. The wide vortex chamber has aninterior radius of r₂ and height of h₂, and is connected to the narrowvortex chambers 26 and 33 of interior radius r₁ by 27 and 32, each witha height h₃. The blower input connector 28 is a circular adapter with aninterior radius of ro and thickness of t₀ for an exterior radius ofr₀+t₀, providing a cross-section area of πr₀ ² for V₀ per second ofinput from the high-speed blower 5.

The radial to tangential airflow adapter 29 changes the radial airflowat 28 to a vertical stream at the tangential airflow stabilizer 30 withan interior stream height of h₀, a maximum width of w₀ whereπrhd 0²≥h₀w₀. The stream cross-section 34 can be compressed to increasepressure in the vortex chamber or to achieve a higher input velocitybased on the performance of 5. The stream can also be tapered or shapedat the top and bottom excluding wedges from the tangential airflow 35 ofheight h₄ and width w₁ from the tangential edge closest to the center ofthe vortex chamber (See FIG. 2d ), where h₄≤h₀/2 and w₁<w₀, yielding across section area of h₀w₀−h₄w₁≤πr₀ ², to evenly distribute pressure in31 as gases are compressed in 27 and 32. Below the vortex chamber 7, thecone 8 is held in a position aligned with the center of 7 by the helikonvortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 which is attached to the bottom of33. The position of 8 can be adjusted for calibration of the helikonvortex while remaining in alignment with the lower narrow vortex chamber33. The top view (FIG. 2b ) obstructs components below 31, but showsreinforcement for the tangential airflow 36, which is also visible onthe right-side view (FIG. 2c ). The interior volume of the BilateralCompression Helikon Vortex as defined is

V=πr ₁ ² h ₁ +πr ₂ ² h ₂+2π(r ₁ ² +r ₁ r ₂ +r ₂ ²)h ₃/3.

FIG. 3 is a Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview, with a frontview (FIG. 3a ), top view (FIG. 3b ), and right-side view (FIG. 3c ),and cross-section of the tangential airflow stabilizer (FIG. 3d ). Thisassembly is one instantiation of the helikon vortex 1 in FIG. 1, andseveral components from FIG. 1 are recognizable here, including theairflow adapter 6, helikon vortex chamber 7, cone 8, and helikon vortexexhaust/cone alignment base 9. The vortex output adapter 24 is where CO₂with reduced ¹⁴C content is output, and this is attached to the widevortex chamber cap/outlet 37, which is on top of 6. The vortex chamberconsists of the lower narrow vortex chamber 33, and extends through thelower lateral vortex chamber adapter 32, and the center of the airflowadapter 6. The lower narrow vortex chamber has an interior radius of r₁and height of h₁. The airflow adapter 6 consists of several componentsthat are identifiable here, including the blower input connector 28,radial to tangential airflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer30, and the wide vortex chamber with tangential input 31. The widevortex chamber has an interior radius of r₂ and height of h₂, and isconnected to the narrow vortex chamber 33 of interior radius r₁ by 32,with a height h₃. The blower input connector 28 is a circular adapterwith an interior radius of ro and thickness of t₀ for an exterior radiusof r₀+t₀, providing a cross-section area of πr₀ ² for V₀ per second ofinput from the high-speed blower 5. The radial to tangential airflowadapter 29 changes the radial airflow at 28 to a vertical stream at thetangential airflow stabilizer 30 with an interior stream height of h₀, amaximum width of w₀ where πr₀ ²≥h₀w₀. The stream cross-section 34 can becompressed to increase pressure in the vortex chamber or to achieve ahigher input velocity based on the performance of 5. The stream can alsobe tapered or shaped at the bottom excluding a wedge from the tangentialairflow 35 of height h₄ and width w₁ from the tangential edge closest tothe center of the vortex chamber (See FIG. 3d ), where h₄≤h₀/2 andw₁<w₀, yielding a cross section area of h₀w₀−h₄w₁/2≤πr₀ ², to evenlydistribute pressure in 31 as gases are compressed in 32. Below thevortex chamber 7, the cone 8 is held in a position aligned with thecenter of 7 by the helikon vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 which isattached to the bottom of 33. The position of 8 can be adjusted forcalibration of the helikon vortex while remaining in alignment with thelower narrow vortex chamber 33. The top view (FIG. 3b ) obstructscomponents below 31, but shows reinforcement for the tangential airflow36, which is also visible on the right-side view (FIG. 3c ).

The interior volume of the Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex asdefined is

V=πr ₁ ²h₁ +πr ₂ ² h ₂+π(r ₁ ² +r ₁ r ₂ +r ₂ ²)h ₃/3.

FIG. 4 is a Perspective View of a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex(FIG. 4a ) and a Perspective View of a Bilateral Compression HelikonVortex (FIG. 4b ).

FIG. 5 is a Wide Vortex Chamber with Tangential Input Overview, with afront view (FIG. 5a ), back view (FIG. 5b ), top view (FIG. 5c ), andright-side view (FIG. 5d ). On all four views, the blower inputconnector 28, the radial to tangential airflow adapter 29, and the widevortex chamber with tangential input 31 are visible. On all but theright-side view, the tangential airflow stabilizer 30 is visible.Cross-sections of 30 are provided in FIGS. 2d and 3d , detailing theinterior cross-section area of the tangential airflow stabilizer 34 andvariable exclusion wedges 35 detailed above, as related to the radius r₀of 28. The outer reinforcement for the tangential airflow 39 are clearlyseen on FIG. 5b , FIG. 5c , and FIG. 5 d. These are evenly spacedvertically and centered around the input axis of 28, providingreinforcement for both 30 and 31 near the tangential input. The innerreinforcement for the tangential airflow 40 are seen on FIG. 5c and FIG.5d , and are also evenly spaced vertically and centered around the inputaxis of 28, providing reinforcement for both 30 and 31 near thetangential input.

FIG. 6 is a Perspective View of a Wide Vortex Chamber with TangentialInput. From this front-upper perspective view the tangential airflowvent 41 is visible inside 31, which was not visible from any of the fourviews on FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 6, 41 has tangential dimensionswith a height of h₀ and width of w₀ and is configured for either abilateral or unilateral helikon vortex configuration with h₄=0 and w₁=0,omitting any exclusion wedges (i.e., 35) from the tangential airflow.The airflow adapter 6, as seen on FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, utilizes 28, 29,30, and 35, as seen on FIGS. 2 and 3, to constitute a means to stabilizeand shape the airflow of said atmospheric gases 2 into 34, as seen onFIGS. 2 and 3, prior to passing through 41 into 31, as seen here on FIG.6.

FIG. 7 is a Lateral Vortex Chamber Adapter Overview, with a front view(FIG. 7a ), upper-front perspective view (FIG. 7b ), and lower-frontperspective view (FIG. 7c ). The lateral vortex chamber adapter isutilized twice in the bilateral compression helikon vortex configuration27 and 32, and once in the unilateral compression helikon vortexconfiguration 32. The lateral adapter 44 connects to a wide vortexchamber 32 with a wide vortex chamber connector 42 and connects to anarrow vortex chamber to a narrow vortex chamber 26 or 33 with a narrowvortex chamber connector 43. As illustrated in FIG. 7b , the interior ofthe narrow vortex chamber connector 45 has a radius equal to the outsideradius of the narrow vortex chamber (See FIG. 8). The interior of thelateral adapter 47 is a smooth surface in the shape of a truncated coneand has a radius of r₁ at the minimum radius at the edge shared with 45.The interior of the wide vortex chamber connector 46 has a radius equalto the outside radius of the wide vortex chamber 31. The maximum radiusof 47 is equal to r₂ at the edge shared with 46. Thereby, 47 provides asmooth surface inside the vortex chamber of height h₃ between 45 and 46for the compression of gases for separation by centrifugal accelerationwhile connecting wide and narrow vortex chamber components.

FIG. 8 is a Narrow Vortex Chamber Overview, with a front view (FIG. 8a), top view (FIG. 8b ), and upper-front perspective view (FIG. 8c ). Thenarrow vortex chamber is utilized twice in the bilateral compressionhelikon vortex configuration 26 and 33, and once in the unilateralcompression helikon vortex configuration 33. To reduce helikon vortexmanufacturing costs, commercial pipe with standard inner and outerdiameters can be utilized for narrow vortex chambers by sizing theconnectors on all connecting components, including 9, 25, 27, and 32, tomatch the outer and inner diameters of standard commercial pipe(s). Forinstance, the interior diameter of narrow vortex chamber connector 45must match the outer diameter of the exterior of the narrow vortexchamber 49, and the minimum interior diameter of 47 must match theinterior diameter of 48. An example of adapting a commercial pipe wouldbe a 3 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe, in which case the outer diameter of 49would be 88.9 mm and the interior diameter of 48 would be 76.2 mm. Anycommercial pipes must be cleaned with solvents and in the case ofplastic or related synthetic polymers (e.g., polyvinyl chloride), theymust be rigid and the interior of the narrow vortex chamber 48 must becoated with an antistatic treatment prior to utilization.

FIG. 9 is a Narrow Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview, with a front view(FIG. 9a ), top view (FIG. 9b ), top upper-front perspective view (FIG.9c ), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 9d ). The narrow vortexchamber cap/outlet 25 is utilized in the bilateral compression helikonvortex, and the vortex output adapter 24 is visible in FIG. 9a , FIG. 9b, and FIG. 9c . The top of the narrow vortex chamber cap 50 is visibleon FIG. 9b and FIG. 9c . To reduce helikon vortex manufacturing costs,the interior dimensions of the vortex output adapter 24 are intended toconnect to commercial pipe with standard inner and outer diameters. Theinterior of vortex output adapter 51, visible in FIG. 9b , FIG. 9c , andFIG. 9d , has a diameter matching the outer diameter of a commercialpipe, while the vortex chamber cap outlet 52, visible in FIG. 9b andFIG. 9 d, has a diameter matching the interior diameter of the samematching commercial pipe. E.g., when connecting 24 to a ½ inch Schedule40 PVC pipe, the matching dimensions for 51 would be a diameter of 21.33mm and 52 would be a diameter of 15.80 mm. The bottom of 50 is visiblein FIG. 9d , which must be a smooth anti-static surface, like the otherinterior components of the helikon vortex.

FIG. 10 is a Wide Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview, with a front view(FIG. 10a ), top view (FIG. 10b ), top upper-front perspective view(FIG. 10c ), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 10d ). The widevortex chamber cap/outlet 37 is utilized in the unilateral compressionhelikon vortex, and the vortex output adapter 24 is visible in FIG. 10a, FIG. 10b , and FIG. 10c . The top of the wide vortex chamber cap 53 isvisible on FIG. 10b and FIG. 10c . To reduce helikon vortexmanufacturing costs, the interior dimensions of the vortex outputadapter 24 are intended to connect to commercial pipe with standardinner and outer diameters. The interior of vortex output adapter 51,visible in FIG. 10b , FIG. 10c , and FIG. 10d , has a diameter matchingthe outer diameter of a commercial pipe, while the vortex chamber capoutlet 52, visible in FIG. 10b and FIG. 10d , has a diameter matchingthe interior diameter of the matching commercial pipe. E.g., whenconnecting 24 to a ½ inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe, the matching dimensionsfor 51 would be a diameter of 21.33 mm and 52 would be a diameter of15.80 mm. The bottom of 53 is visible in FIG. 10d , which must be asmooth anti-static surface, like the other interior components of thehelikon vortex.

FIG. 11 is a Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone Overview, with afront view (FIG. 11a ), top view (FIG. 11b ), and lower-frontperspective view (FIG. 11c ). The manually calibrated helikon vortexcone is one instantiation of 8 which can be utilized in either Bilateralor Unilateral Helikon Vortex configurations. The effective surface ofthe cone 54 is visible in FIG. 11a , FIG. 11b , and FIG. 11c . Thissurface must be a smooth anti-static surface, like the other interiorcomponents of the helikon vortex. The base of the cone 55 is visible inFIG. 11a and FIG. 11c . In the center of the base of the cone is thethreaded core of the cone 56 which is visible in FIG. 11c . To reducehelikon vortex manufacturing costs, the threads are industry standardfine thread count and diameter so that the manually calibrated helikonvortex cone can be used with industry standard bold sizes. E.g., anindustry standard ⅜″ bolt size has a fine thread count of 24 threads perinch (TPI).

FIG. 12 is a Vertical Cross-Section View of the Manually CalibratedHelikon Vortex Cone (FIG. 12a ), and a Horizontal Cross-Section View ofthe Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone (FIG. 12b ). The effectivesurface of the cone 54 is visible in FIG. 12a on the upper externalsurface of the vertical cross-section, while the base of the cone 55 isvisible on the bottom. The effective surface of the cone 54 is visiblein FIG. 12b on the outer circumference of the horizontal cross-section.The threaded core of the cone 56 is visible on FIGS. 12a and 12b . Toreduce helikon vortex manufacturing costs, the interior of the cone 57is hollow, as seen on FIGS. 12a and 12b , precluding the utilization ofunnecessary materials. The base of the cone is reinforced in three ways.First, a thick area of material reinforcement for the threaded core 58is provided around 56, as seen on FIGS. 12a and 12b . Second, radialreinforcement structures 59 and 60 extend from 58 (i.e., near the centerof the cone) to 54 (i.e., the outside of the cone), as seen on FIG. 12b. Third, and finally, a circular reinforcement structure 61 goes aroundthe base of the cone and 56, as seen on FIGS. 12a and 12b , connectingthe inner radial reinforcement structures 59 to the outer reinforcementstructures 60. The inner and outer reinforcement structures, 59 and 60,are distributed at even intervals of angles around the central axis ofthe cone, but the angles separating structures for 59 and 60 are notnecessarily equal, as seen on FIG. 12b , where six 59 are connected to61 and eight 60 structures are connected to 61. Larger cones may havemultiple circular reinforcements 61, in concentric circles, eachconnected by radial reinforcement structures, such as 59 or 60, whilesmaller cones may not require a circular reinforcement structure 61 andonly a single set of radial reinforcement structures, such as 59, whichwould then directly connect 58 to 54.

FIG. 13 is an Alternative Threaded Cone Overview, with a front view(FIG. 13a ), bottom view (FIG. 13b ), and lower-front perspective view(FIG. 13c ). The alternative threaded cone differs from the manuallycalibrated helikon vortex cone in FIG. 11 in that it has no threadedcore 56 and instead has a single threaded extrusion 62 and multipleaxial alignment extrusions 63, as seen on FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c . Theextrusions 62 and 63 are aligned with the central axis of the cone, with62 being on the central axis as seen from the bottom view in FIG. 13b .One or more axial alignment extrusions, 63, appear around the centralaxis, with four visible on FIGS. 13b and 13c . The alternative threadedcone is intended for use with an electric motor 12 and the vortexexhaust/alternative threaded cone alignment base on FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 14 is a Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base Overview, with a frontview (FIG. 14a ), top view (FIG. 14b ), and bottom view (FIG. 14c ). Thevortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 is utilized with the cone 8illustrated in FIG. 11 and has several critical functions. First, thebottom of the base 64, visible on FIGS. 14a, 14b and 14c , is heldperpendicular to the central axis of the lower vortex chamber 7 via theconnector to the vortex chamber 65, visible on FIGS. 14a and 14b , whichattaches to the lower narrow vortex chamber 33. The inner diameter of 65matches the outer diameter of 33 for alignment, and is large enough forthe base of the cone 8 to be lowered into 9. Second, two or morevertical vent fins 66, visible on FIGS. 14a, 14b, and 14c , aresymmetrically distributed around the central axis of 9, connecting 64 to65, while being tangential to airflow from 33. The gaps between 66permit exhaust to exit from the vortex chamber 9. Third, the bottom ofthe base 64 is structurally reinforced to hold the cone 8 in alignmentwith the central axis of the lower vortex chamber 7 with one or morecircular reinforcements 67, visible on FIGS. 14a and 14b , symmetricallydistributed radial reinforcements 68, visible on FIG. 14b , and acentral reinforcement 69, visible on FIG. 14b , around the center of 64.The structural reinforcements 67, 68, and 69 support the alignment ofthe cone 8 while precluding the utilization of unnecessary materials. Atthe top of the base, 65 is contoured to maximize surface area with 66 toadd structural strength. The cone is held in place by a commercial hexthat is inserted from the bottom of 64 into the cylindrical hollowcentral shaft of the base 70, visible on FIGS. 14b and 14c . The hexhead of the bolt fits into the base hex nut intrusion 71 which isvisible on FIG. 14c . Therefore, the manually calibrated helikon vortexcone 8, in FIG. 11, can be attached to this vortex exhaust/conealignment base 9, in FIG. 14, with a commercial hex bolt. The cone canbe lowered by turning it clockwise, from the top view, down onto thethreaded bolt, and raised by turning it counter-clockwise. When the coneis in a lower position there is a larger gap between the cone 8 and thelower narrow vortex chamber 33, allowing a larger volume of atmosphericgases to exhaust out of 7. These exhaust gases, which exit below 65 onFIG. 14a between the vent fins 66, are the densest atmospheric gases,being on the outside perimeter of 7 while under centrifugalacceleration.

FIG. 15 is a Perspective View of the Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base,with an upper-front perspective view (FIG. 15a ) and a lower-front viewperspective view (FIG. 15b ). All the reference numerals in FIG. 14 arevisible in FIG. 15. On FIG. 15a , the circular and radial structuralsupports 67 and 68 can be seen to rise above the base 64, providingreinforcement to 69. The outermost circular structural support 67 alsoprovides more surface area and structural support for 66 to attach tothe base 64. The intrusion for the hex bolt 71 can be clearly seen onFIG. 15b in the center of the base 64. The variable outer diameter of 65can also be seen on FIG. 15b , reducing materials required forconstruction while enhancing the surface are and structural support for66 to attach to the connector 65. The vortex exhaust/cone alignment base9 utilizes a hex bolt held stationary in axial alignment by 69, 70, and71, and held in alignment with the lower narrow vortex chamber 33, asseen on FIGS. 2 and 3, by 65 and a plurality of 66, while said hex boltis threaded into cone 8 holding 8 in axial alignment by 56 and 58, whichare reinforced by 61 and a plurality of 59 and 60, as seen on FIG. 12,while 8 can be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise to raise andlower position of 8 inside 33, constitutes a means to position said cone8 inside said lower narrow vortex chamber 33.

FIG. 16 is a Vortex Exhaust/Alternative Threaded Cone Alignment BaseOverview, with a top view (FIG. 16a ), and bottom view (FIG. 16b ). Thevortex exhaust/alternative cone alignment base 9 is utilized with thealternative threaded cone 8 illustrated in FIG. 13 and differs by thevortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 illustrated in FIG. 14 in a fewways. First, instead of a smooth hollow central shaft 70, this base hasa threaded central shaft 72, as seen on FIGS. 16a and 16b . Second,instead of the central reinforcement 69 being immediately around 70,there is a circular central shaft 73 that can rotate clockwise andcounter-clockwise, as seen on FIGS. 16a and 16b . Third, the centralreinforcement for the base 69 goes around 73 in this configuration, asseen on FIG. 16a . Fourth, there are axial alignment shafts 74 whichextend through the radial reinforcements 68 and the base 64, as seen onFIGS. 16a and 16b . The front view of this configuration of 9 appears tobe the same as FIG. 14a . The axial alignment extrusions 63 on thealternative threaded cone 8 extend through the axial alignment shafts 74as the threaded extrusion 62 is threaded into 72. Together, thealignment extrusions 62 and shafts 74 align the cone 8 with the vortexchamber 7, as the cone position is raised and lowered by rotating 73clockwise and counter-clockwise. Fifth, an axial alignment shaftreinforcement 75 is around each shaft 74 to reinforce the radialreinforcements 68, as seen on FIG. 16a . Finally, there is a motorattachment mount 76 on the bottom of 73, as seen on FIG. 16b . This iswhere an electrical motor 12 can be attached to rotate 73 to raise andlower the cone 8 via a control system 13 to automate the calibrationprocess.

FIG. 17 is a Perspective View of the Vortex Exhaust/Alternative ThreadedCone Alignment Base, with an upper-front perspective view (FIG. 17a )and a lower-front view perspective view (FIG. 17b ). All the referencenumerals in FIG. 16 are visible in FIG. 17. On FIG. 17a , the axialalignment shaft reinforcement 75 can be seen having a similar height tothe radial, circular, and central reinforcement structures 67, 68, and69. The circular central shaft 73 can be seen extending from the centerof 69 in FIG. 17a to the center of 64 on FIG. 17b , where the motorattachment mount 76 is located. The other functions of 64, 65, 66, 67,68, and 69 identified on FIG. 15 above are applicable here. The vortexexhaust/alternative threaded cone alignment base 9 utilizes a threadedcentral shaft 72 that is held in axial alignment by 69 and 73, andreinforced by a plurality of 68, and held in alignment with the lowernarrow vortex chamber 33, as seen on FIGS. 2 and 3, by 65 and aplurality of 66, while 72 is threaded onto 62 of cone 8, as seen on FIG.13, holding 8 in axial alignment by a plurality of extrusions 63 whichare inserted into 74, which are reinforced by 68 and 75, while 76 can berotated clockwise and counter-clockwise manually or by an electric motor12 to raise and lower the position of 8 inside 33, constitutes a meansto position said cone 8 inside said lower narrow vortex chamber 33.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 helikon vortex

2 atmospheric gases

3 pressure sensor for atmospheric gases

4 CO₂ sensor for atmospheric gases

5 high-speed blower

6 airflow adapter

7 helikon vortex chamber

8 helikon vortex cone

9 helikon vortex exhaust/cone alignment base

10 dense molecular gas (vortex chamber exhaust)

11 low density molecular gas (vortex chamber product)

12 electrical motor

13 control system

14 relief control valve

15 relief valve gas output

16 relief valve output CO₂ sensor

17 vortex chamber control valve or controlled environment gaseous inputcontrol valve

18 vortex chamber control valve output

19 vortex chamber control valve output CO_(2 sensor)

20 controlled environment

21 pressure sensor for controlled environment

22 controlled environment gaseous output control valve

23 controlled environment exhaust

24 vortex output adapter

25 narrow vortex chamber cap/outlet

26 upper narrow vortex chamber

27 upper lateral vortex chamber adapter

28 blower input connector

29 radial to tangential airflow adapter

30 tangential airflow stabilizer

31 wide vortex chamber with tangential input

32 lower lateral vortex chamber adapter

33 lower narrow vortex chamber

34 interior cross-section area of tangential airflow stabilizer

35 excluded wedge from tangential airflow

36 reinforcement for the tangential airflow

37 wide vortex chamber cap/outlet

39 outer reinforcement for the tangential airflow

40 inner reinforcement for the tangential airflow

41 tangential airflow vent

42 narrow vortex chamber connector

43 wide vortex chamber connector

44 lateral adapter

45 interior of narrow vortex chamber connector

46 interior of wide vortex chamber connector

47 interior of lateral adapter

48 interior of narrow vortex chamber

49 exterior of narrow vortex chamber

50 narrow vortex chamber cap

51 interior of vortex output adapter

52 vortex chamber cap outlet

53 wide vortex chamber cap

54 effective surface of cone

55 base of cone

56 threaded core of cone

57 hollow interior of cone

58 reinforcement for threaded core of cone

59 inner radial reinforcement structure for cone

60 outer radial reinforcement structure for cone

61 circular reinforcement for cone

62 threaded extrusion

63 axial alignment extrusion

64 bottom of base

65 connector to vortex chamber

66 vent fin

67 circular reinforcement for base

68 radial reinforcement for base

69 central reinforcement for base

70 hollow central shaft

71 base hex nut intrusion

72 threaded central shaft

73 circular central shaft

74 axial alignment shaft

75 axial alignment shaft reinforcement

76 motor attachment mount

Operation

The operation for growing agricultural products with reduced ¹⁴C contentrequires a controlled environment 20 with filtered atmospheric gases 2from which CO₂ with ¹⁴C has been removed.

1. A filtration system comprising a blower 5 and a helikon vortex 1constitutes a means to remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases 2;blower 5 output velocity of 322 km per hour or greater is required foreffective filtration with helicon vortex 1;

2. Control valves 17, 22 are required to control the flow of gasesentering and exiting the controlled environment 20;

3. When the CO₂ sensor 19 inside the controlled environment 20 detects aCO₂ abundance lower than a predetermined amount, the said filtrationsystem is turned on by the control system 13 and the relief controlvalve 14 is opened;

4. The CO₂ sensor 16 at the relief output is monitored and compared tothe CO₂ sensor 4 for atmospheric gases 2 outside the controlledenvironment to ensure said filtration system removal of CO₂ with ¹⁴Cfrom atmospheric gases 2 is effective by detecting a predetermined deltawhich can be determined by said filtration system efficiency;

5. Once effective filtration is verified, the control system 13 closesthe relief control valve 14 and opens control valves 17, 22 which areconnected to the controlled environment 20;

6. When the CO₂ sensor 19 inside the controlled environment 20 detects aCO₂ abundance above a predetermined amount, the said filtration systemis turn off and the control valves 17, 22 are closed by the controlsystem 13;

7. When the controlled environment input control valve 17 is open, theoutput control valve 22 is only opened by the control system 13 when theair pressure inside the controlled environment 20 as measured by the airpressure sensor 21 exceeds the atmospheric gas air pressure outside ofthe controlled environment by a predetermined amount as measured by airpressure sensor 3;

8. Operation of said filtration system is initially required for aduration sufficient to replace the entire volume of air inside thecontrolled environment 20. Thereafter, continuous, periodic, orintermittent operation as determined by CO₂ sensor 19, as detailedabove, may be used to determine periods of operation for the filtrationsystem to maintain sufficient CO₂ levels inside the controlledenvironment 20;

9. The control system 13 can either be programmed or configured tooperate 5, 14, 17, and 22 utilizing electronic controls or switches withdigital or analog signals, constituting a means to operate the blowerand control valves. Similarly, 13 can either be programmed or configuredto monitor digital or analog signals from 3, 4, 16, 19, and 21,constituting a means to monitor the sensors.

10. Helikon vortex 1 above may comprise either a bilateral compressionhelikon vortex or a unilateral compression helikon vortex as detailedbelow; effective filtration has been demonstrated with centrifugalacceleration exceeding 16,000 g, a maximum narrow vortex chamber radiusof 5.08 cm, and a maximum height of 1.94 m.

11. Bilateral compression helikon vortex (FIG. 2) consists of an airflowadapter 6 (consisting of blower input connector 28, radial to tangentialairflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer 30, and exclusionwedge 35), vortex chamber 7 (consisting of a wide vortex chamber 31,upper narrow vortex chamber 26, lower narrow vortex chamber 33, upperlateral adapter 27, and lower lateral adapter 32), cone 8, exhaust/conealignment base 9, vortex output adapter 24, and narrow vortex chambercap/outlet 25;

12. Unilateral compression helikon vortex (FIG. 3) consists of anairflow adapter 6 (consisting of blower input connector 28, radial totangential airflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer 30, andexclusion wedge 35), vortex chamber 7 (consisting of a wide vortexchamber 31, lower narrow vortex chamber 33, and lower lateral adapter32), cone 8, exhaust/cone alignment base 9, vortex output adapter 24,and wide vortex chamber cap/outlet 37;

13. During operation, the atmospheric gases 2 are accelerated by blower5 and enter the airflow adapter 6 were they are stabilized and shapedprior to tangential injection into the wide vortex chamber 31;Centrifugal acceleration occurs while the atmospheric gases areseparated by molecular density in vortex chamber 7; after separation,the high-density gases exit 7 between 33 and 8, while low-density gasesexit 7 through 24;

14. Calibration of the helikon vortex is essential prior to operationand this is accomplished by adjusting the position of the cone 8 insidethe narrow vortex chamber 33 to ensure effective separation ofCO_(2 with) ¹⁴C. For manual calibration, the vortex exhaust/conealignment base 9 utilizes a hex bolt held stationary in axial alignmentby 69, 70, and 71 (FIG. 15), while cone 8 can be rotated clockwise andcounter-clockwise to raise and lower the position of 8 inside 33.Alternatively, the calibration process can be automated with an electricmotor 12. The vortex exhaust/alternative threaded cone alignment base 9utilizes a threaded central shaft 72 that is held in axial alignment by69 and 73 (FIG. 16), holding 8 in axial alignment by a plurality ofextrusions 63 (FIG. 13) which are inserted into 74, while 76 can berotated clockwise and counter-clockwise by an electric motor 12 to raiseand lower the position of 8 inside 33.

REFERENCES CITED U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,004,158 October 1961 Steimel,K. 3,421,334 January 1969 McKinney, et al. 62-28 3,594,573 July 1971Gerber, H. 3,925,036 December 1975 Shacter, J. 55/158 3,939,354 February1976 Janes, G. S. 250/484  3,942,975 March 1976 Drummond, et al.  75/10R 4,070,171 January 1978 Wikdahl 55/419 4,311,674 January 1982 Janner,et al.  204/157.22 4,584,073 April 1986 Laboda, et al.  204/157.24,638,674 October 1983 Redmann   73/863.12 4,816,209 July 1986 Schweiger376/309  7,332,715 B2 February 2008 Russ, et al. 250/288  8,460,434 June2013 Turner, et al. 95/117 9,579,666 B2 February 2017 Mangadoddy, et al.B04C 5/04     

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Lander, E. S. et al., Initial sequencing and analysis of the humangenome, Nature 409, 860-921 (2001).

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We claim:
 1. A method of growing agricultural products with a reducedabundance of carbon-14 comprising: a. a controlled environment for gaseswith an airtight seal, b. a mixture of atmospheric gases external tosaid controlled environment with a measurable abundance of carbondioxide and a measurable abundance of carbon dioxide with carbon-14, c.a means to remove carbon-dioxide with carbon-14 from said atmosphericgases, d. a blower being connected to said means to force saidatmospheric gases through said means to produce filtered atmosphericgases consisting of low density molecular gases, e. a control valve forgaseous input to said controlled environment from said means beingconnected to said means to vent airflow of said filtered atmosphericgases from said means into said controlled environment, f. a controlvalve for gaseous output from said controlled environment, beingconnected to said environment, whereby agricultural products grown insaid controlled environment will contain a reduced abundance ofcarbon-14 than the natural abundance of carbon-14 in said atmosphericgases.
 2. A method according to claim 1, in which the carbon-dioxideabundance is regulated in said controlled environment, furthercomprising: a. a carbon-dioxide sensor inside said controlledenvironment, b. a control system configured to monitor saidcarbon-dioxide sensor, c. means for said control system to operate saidcontrol valve for gaseous input, said control valve for gaseous output,and said blower, whereby carbon-dioxide abundance in said controlledenvironment can be maintain at a predetermined abundance throughcirculation of gases in said controlled environment.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1, in which carbon-dioxide removal by said means isverified, further comprising: a. a carbon-dioxide sensor for saidatmospheric gases outside said controlled environment, b. acarbon-dioxide sensor for relief output from said means, c. a controlvalve for output relief from said means, being connected to said meansto vent airflow of said filtered atmospheric gases from said means intosaid atmospheric gases, d. a control system configured to monitor saidcarbon-dioxide sensor for said atmospheric gases and said carbon-dioxidesensor for relief output, e. means for said control system to operatesaid control valve for gaseous input, said control valve for gaseousoutput, and said control valve for output relief, whereby carbon-dioxideremoval from said means can be verified at said carbon-dioxide sensorfor relief prior to circulation through said controlled environment. 4.A method according to claim 1, in which air pressure in said controlledenvironment is managed, further comprising: a. an internal air pressuresensor inside said controlled environment; b. an external air pressuresensor for said atmospheric gases outside said controlled environment;c. a control system configured to monitor said internal air pressuresensor and said external air pressure sensor, d. means for said controlsystem to operate said control valve for gaseous input, said controlvalve for gaseous output, and said blower, whereby air pressure in saidcontrolled environment can be maintained at a predetermined positivepressure through circulation of gases into said controlled environmentwhile said control valve for gaseous output is opened or closed.